Our Response to Climate Change: HK2100

1: Revisiting Progress - At What Cost?

Introduction to Modern Progress:

• Equating progress with industrial growth, tech advancements, and urban expansion.
• Environmental costs often overlooked.
• Key question: “What environmental losses have we accepted for progress?”

Example 1: Deforestation in the Amazon:

• Accelerated deforestation post-2010s for agriculture.
• Impact: Loss of biodiversity, carbon storage, and indigenous habitats.
• Trade-off: Global food supply vs. ecological preservation.

Example 2: Urbanization of Green Spaces:

• Cities like Jakarta and Beijing expanding into green areas.
• Impact: Loss of natural spaces vital for air quality and biodiversity.
• Trade-off: Economic growth and housing vs. green space conservation.

Example 3: Intensive Energy Extraction:

• Shale gas boom, especially in the U.S., post-2010s.
• Impact: Groundwater contamination, seismic activity, methane emissions.
• Trade-off: Energy independence vs. environmental health.

2: Beyond CO2 - The Potent Greenhouse Gas Threat

The Methane Concern:

• Methane’s Potency: Methane (CH4) is over 25 times more potent than CO2 in trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period.
• Permafrost Thaw: Recent observations reveal accelerating permafrost thaw in the Arctic, unlocking vast methane reserves.
• Impact: Methane release from permafrost could significantly amplify global warming, contributing to a feedback loop.

Other Potent Gases:

• Nitrous Oxide (N2O): Emissions from agricultural activities, particularly fertilizer use, have been rising, with N2O being about 300 times more potent than CO2.
• Industrial Gases: Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), used in air conditioning and refrigeration, have thousands of times the global warming potential of CO2.

2.1: Beyond CO2 - The Potent Greenhouse Gas Threat (Cont’d)

IPCC Models and Tipping Points:

• Inclusion in Models: The IPCC has recently integrated permafrost melt and methane release into their climate models, highlighting the urgency of the issue.
• Tipping Point Concerns: There’s growing scientific consensus that we might be nearing or have crossed climate “tipping points,” leading to irreversible changes.

Examples and Analogies:

• Siberian Craters: The discovery of massive craters in Siberia, believed to be caused by methane explosions from thawing permafrost, serves as a vivid illustration of the methane threat.
• The Ice-Albedo Feedback: As Arctic ice melts, it reveals darker water that absorbs more heat, further accelerating ice melt and methane release from permafrost - a dangerous feedback loop.

Reflection:

• The rising threat of potent greenhouse gases challenges us to look beyond CO2 in our climate change mitigation strategies.
• Understanding and addressing these less-discussed but highly impactful gases is crucial in our broader fight against global warming.

3: Geoengineering - A Symptomatic Treatment?

The Shift to Geoengineering:

• Large-scale interventions in Earth’s systems
• Focus shifts from emission causes to climate symptoms management

Key Approaches:

• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):
  • Removes CO2 from the atmosphere
  • Stores it underground
• Solar Radiation Management (SRM):
  • Reflects sunlight away
  • Aims to reduce global warming

Ethical and Practical Concerns:

• Unintended Consequences:
  • Risk of unforeseen side effects
  • Potential to worsen climate issues
• Moral Hazard:
  • Might reduce urgency for emission cuts
  • Reliance on technological fixes

4: Questioning “Progress” and “Modernity”

The Untouchable Paradigms:

• Associated with tech advancement
• Often overlook environmental cost

Need for Paradigm Shift:

• Sustainable Progress:
  • Incorporates sustainability
  • Balances ecological concerns
• Inclusive Modernity:
  • Embraces diverse views
  • Values indigenous knowledge

Example: Transition to Renewable Energy:

• Shift from fossil fuels to renewables
• Symbolizes sustainable progress

5: Academia’s Pioneering Role

Fostering Diversity and Experimentation:

• Universities as idea incubators
• Promote cross-disciplinary research

Critical Thinking and Innovation:

• Challenges established norms
• Proposes innovative solutions

5.1: Silent Spring, or Power of Narrative

Rachel Carson, Chemist | Writer | Activist

5.2 Understanding System Thinking in Environmental Context

What is Systems Thinking?

• Holistic Perspective: Complex systems as interconnected wholes
• Feedback Loops: Recognizing how different elements within a system influence one another, non-linear

Interconnectivity in Nature

• Interaction of ecosystem
• Climate phenomena as result of interactions wtihin and between atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere and biosphere

Understanding System Thinking

• Empowers you to see the bigger picture and recognize the ripple effects of actions
• Encourages innovative and holistic solutions to environmental challenges through interconnectedness

5.3 Wolves’ Reintroduction to Yellowstone: Saga from 1920s to 1995

5.3.1 ReIntroduction of the Wolves

5.4 Interconnectedness of species

6: Urgent Climate Issues We Cannot Ignore

Rising Sea Levels:

• Coastal erosion and flooding
• Threatens communities and infrastructure

Biodiversity Loss:

• Ecosystem collapse and species extinction
• Undermines Earth’s life support systems

Water Scarcity:

• Exacerbated by climate change
• Threatens food security and stability

7: Rethinking Cooperation for a Sustainable Future

Beyond Competition:

• Emphasizes global solidarity
• Views Earth’s resources as shared

Innovative Governance:

• Develops flexible, inclusive agreements
• Empowers local action with global support

8: The Permafrost Time Bomb

Understanding Permafrost:

• Frozen ground in polar regions: 24% of Northern Hemisphere land surface
• Contains massive carbon reserves: 1700 Gigatons of carbon, 2x atmospheric carbon

The Thawing Threat:

• Warming temperatures causing thaw, twice as fast as global average
• Releases stored methane (25x) and CO2
• Permafrost to decrease by 30-70% by end of 21st century.

Implications for Climate:

• Accelerates global warming
• Could trigger runaway climate effects

9: Modernity and Sustainability Clash

The Growth Paradigm:

• Equates progress with economic growth
• Often at the environment’s expense

Sustainable Alternatives:

• Rethinks progress with ecological balance
• Prioritizes long-term environmental health

Cultural Shift Needed:

• From consumption-driven to sustainability-focused
• Values diversity and ecological integrity

Example: Urban Green Initiatives:

• Incorporates green spaces in cities
• Promotes urban sustainability and well-being, connection to mindfulness

10: Academia’s Role in Shaping Futures

Incubator for Ideas:

• Nurtures diverse, innovative solutions
• Encourages interdisciplinary collaboration

Challenging the Status Quo:

• Questions established progress narratives
• Advocates for sustainable development models

Fostering Global Citizens:

• Educates on climate ethics and action
• Prepares students for global challenges

Example: Environmental Studies Programs:

• Blend science, policy, and ethics
• Equip students to tackle climate issues
• How can you influence them with what you have learnt?

11: Hall of Fame: Progressive Contributions to Climate Discourse

Visionaries of Sustainability:

• Rachel Carson: Her seminal work “Silent Spring” (1962) is often credited with launching the modern environmental movement, highlighting the adverse effects of pesticides on the environment.
  • Sparked widespread public concern for environmental protection and conservation.
• Al Gore: Former U.S. Vice President and environmentalist, known for his efforts in raising awareness about global warming, notably through his documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” (2006).
  • Played a pivotal role in making climate change a mainstream issue.

Pioneers of Climate Science:

• James Hansen: A climatologist whose 1988 testimony before the U.S. Congress was crucial in bringing national attention to global warming.
  • Advocated for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conducted pivotal climate research.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): Established in 1988, this body has been instrumental in assessing and synthesizing climate research, providing a scientific basis for policy action.
  • Its periodic assessment reports are crucial resources for understanding climate change.

12: Hall of Fame: Conservative Perspectives on Environmental Policy

Skeptics and Critics:

• Bjørn Lomborg: An environmental writer known for his book “The Skeptical Environmentalist” (2001), where he argues that many environmental concerns are exaggerated.
  • Advocates for prioritizing other global issues like poverty over climate change initiatives.
• The Heritage Foundation: A conservative think tank that frequently critiques the economic impacts of environmental regulations.
  • Emphasizes the potential negative effects on economic growth and personal freedoms.

Proponents of Technological and Market Solutions:

• Julian Simon: An economist who believed human ingenuity and innovation could overcome environmental challenges and resource scarcity.
  • Famous for his bet with Paul Ehrlich, arguing against the predictive power of environmental doom.
• Indur Goklany: An author and policy analyst who supports the use of technology and economic growth to address environmental problems, advocating for “adaptive” strategies rather than stringent regulations.
  • Argues that wealthier societies are better equipped to solve environmental problems.

13 People’s Responses

Certainly, let’s break down the responses into shorter sub-bullets for clarity:

Acknowledging Interdependence:

• Mindful Consumption:
  • Everyday choices impact economy and environment.
  • Opting for sustainable products.
• Waste Reduction:
  • Reducing personal waste to protect oceans and wildlife.
  • Emphasizing reuse and recycling.

Advocacy and Community Action:

• Grassroots Movements:
  • Participation in local environmental initiatives.
  • Organizing eco-friendly community events.
• Policy Advocacy:
  • Supporting green policies through petitions and outreach to representatives.
  • Engaging in civic activities for environmental protection.

Sustainable Living & Dietary Choices

13.1 People’s Responses

Education and Awareness:

• Continuous Learning:
  • Staying updated on environmental issues.
  • Spreading awareness among personal networks.
• Youth Engagement:
  • Teaching children about environmental responsibility.
  • Family projects focused on sustainability.

Support for Innovation and Technology:

• Embracing Green Tech:
  • Investing in home solar panel systems.
  • Supporting advancements in sustainable technology.
• Sustainable Investments:
  • Assessing the environmental impact of personal investments.
  • Favoring companies with strong environmental policies.

14 Collage Examples (As promised)

14.1 Collage Examples (Cont’d)

14.2 Collage Examples (Cont’d)

14.3 Colalge Examples (Cont’d)